Music Engineer

Who Is A Music Engineer? What Does He do?

For those who want to join the recording side of the music industry and get involved in the music creation process but not as an artist, the career of a music engineer or audio engineer is the best fit for those individuals. Sound engineers are responsible for the execution of music; they collaborate with the creative direction of the producer and artist and mainly focus on the record’s technical requirements. Additionally, they use their expertise, from picking the right instrument to setting it up correctly, to make the recordings top-notch. 

To become a professional music engineer, learning about what they do and what skills they require is essential. In this guide, you will explore what exactly a music engineer is and what are the significant roles and responsibilities; let’s dive in. 

Who Is A Music Engineer? What Does He Do?

Audio engineers, also known as music or sound engineers, are music industry professionals with expertise in recording live audio, post-production, mixing, and mastering. The primary responsibility of engineers is to work with the mechanical and technical aspects of recording, mixing, and reproduction. They hone their skills in the role of audio technicians, like checking audio equipment, regulating volume levels of instruments, maintaining sound quality, reducing unwanted sounds, tracking issues with sound equipment, etc. Besides working with audio equipment, music engineers focus on the details and create and record quality music. Hence, if you are interested in the essentials of making a record, then being a professional music engineer would be the perfect role for you. 

Normally, sound engineers require the necessary college education or vocational training from a specialized major, independent record label, or a recording studio. In comparison, there are some successful ones who self-taught under the guidance of a mentor. Typically, the job duties of a sound engineer depend on the expertise and skills of the individual and the nature of recording, like covering a live show or recording in a studio. Some of the primary responsibilities of an audio engineer include the following:

Setup

A music engineer’s first and foremost duty is to set up an attractive recording space where quality sound can be produced effortlessly. This process includes setting up and checking the sound equipment’s performance, especially before starting the recording sessions. Additionally, music engineers have to diminish unwanted sound and other technical errors. 

Recording

Recording sound and capturing audio data are crucial to creating a finished music piece. While recording, the engineers perform the technical tasks of capturing and recording sound. This technical process includes vocals, spoken words, instruments, and other sounds. The music engineers use connector cables and microphones to shift sound into the computer for editing purposes. 

Editing

The audio engineers use specific software and tools to edit and manipulate recorded sounds. In addition, they combine the sounds with effects like delay, reverb, or distortion and give the producer’s and artist’s ideas to life. They also remove the unwanted sounds from the recorded version and make the track enhanced and organized. In this process, they also discard the improper parts of recordings to achieve the desired results. 

Mixing

In this stage, the engineers use ultimate mixing techniques like equalization (EQ) and compression to adjust the timbre of an instrument, track, or voice. Moreover, they use dynamics processing like gating or limiting to control the volume levels within a soundtrack. 

Mastering

Many musicians and audio engineers use the mastering process to ensure the soundtracks are compatible with various media formats for commercial distribution. Also, mastering is essential to double-check the technical aspects, like creating tracks that suit different playback systems, for instance, laptops, car stereos, portable devices, and others. 

Where Do Music Engineers Work?

Mostly, music engineers start their careers by working in recording studios. If you want to be a sound engineer, you must work in a recording studio along with the band. Additionally, you will sometimes have to work on polishing or altering the soundtrack for artists outside the recording studio. Besides, music engineers work in concert venues, movie sets, and theaters to capture live recordings or performances. Therefore, the job is the same but locations may change from role to role. 

How to Become An Audio Engineer?

There are different paths to choose from to become a music engineer. Some people take professional degrees or certifications in this field from educational institutions, while others learn by practicing under the supervision of mentors. It depends on an individual’s learning style; hence, these are simple ways to become a music engineer and start a lucrative career. 

Final Words

If you are interested in becoming an audio engineer, don’t wait anymore and start today by joining a record label or recording studio as an assistant music engineer. This career can be exciting and excellent for people having a burning passion for music. Additionally, for those who love perfection and have good observing and problem-solving skills, the music engineer career is ideal for them. Therefore, it’s the best career that increases creativity and allows you to work with talented artists.

record label

Do Artists Need A Record Label in 2022?

A decade back, record labels were considered the golden ticket and the only route to a chart-topping career for artists. At that time, if an artist gets a chance to sign a record contract, he feels so lucky, like his dream come true. It was tricky to attract A&R attention and pretty hard to get signed. Because record labels owned the power to make or break any artist’s career. However, in recent years, the internet has reversed its roles and made artists independent. Similarly, numerous artists now distribute their music online rather than approaching a record label. They are making the most out of social media and some streaming platforms and releasing their music by spending less money. 

So, in this era of social media, when artists release their stuff on the internet, do record labels still matter? Many young and upcoming hip-hop artists, rap artists, and others wonder if it is crucial to join a record label today. In this guide, we will look at the future of traditional record labels and point out for whom a record deal is necessary. So, read more, and let’s find out whether artists need a record label.

Role of the Traditional Record Label

The role of the traditional record label was to make money; similarly, that’s why most artists wanted to get signed by one. Record label used to find artists, financially support them, train and promote them, and then manufacture and distribute their music in exchange for a percentage of revenues. In parallel, when things go well, and the artist and record label succeed, the label and artist both get a chance to make money. Whereas, when an artist and label’s distributed music does get recognition, both the artist and label have to suffer and end up with a substantial financial loss. That’s how the traditional record label worked when there was no concept of social media and online streaming platforms. However, today, record labels require to reinvent themselves if they want to get continuous profits. 

As when the internet took over, most artists trusted the internet rather than record labels; this is why A&R and distribution departments of record labels had to suffer a lot. 

Contemporary Condition of Record Companies?

No one thought before that one day an artist would be his own distributor and possess their label. However, it demands a lot of hard work and versatility from artists to pay attention to everything along with creating music. Artists must have in-depth knowledge about how the complex legalities of the music business work and how to monetize music. Back then, events like concerts were the main revenue streams for artists. But now, the online revenue streams platforms and downloads facilitate artists perfectly in making money. Today’s music placement in TV and movies is also one of the top revenue generators. While things will change tomorrow, and any other revenue stream will most likely benefit the artists and consumers. 

Today, most artists own their distribution network under which they release their music albums and directly earn money. Especially electronic music artists never get out of the content and, most of the time, have songs ready to distribute. Also, these artists own a large fan following on their social media accounts which aids them ideally in getting people’s attention to their work. 

Apart from this, record companies also have social media accounts and a huge fan following. Because of the huge following, most young hip-hop artists and upcoming R&B artists find them beneficial and get signed by them. Because of the changes in the music industry, today’s record labels are giving more leverage to artists than traditional ones. Undoubtedly, there are numerous ways an artist can get famous today on the internet. Still, a record label for upcoming artists is beneficial financially and professionally. The main reason why artists go for a record company is money.

Do Artists Need A Record Label in 2022?

As mentioned above, the primary reason most artists approach record companies is money. Also, it depends on an artist’s goals and needs; if the artist is seeking financial security and wants a team to do all behind the scene efforts for him, then joining a record label is perfect. Whereas, if an artist wants to make music using his creativity and doesn’t like interference, he should not join a record company. Always go for the beneficial deal; don’t take an offer if you think you cannot be able to show your creativity. Therefore, it’s up to the artists always whether they need to go for signing the deal or distributing their music independently. If you want to manage all alone, then it demands you to be incredibly versatile in everything from creating and promoting your own tracks.

Hip Hop and R&B

Hip Hop and R&B: What’s The Difference

When it comes to music, there are many genres this art consists of. There are several genres, from pop, jazz, and hip hop to R&B, rap, and classical. Nowadays, people’s favorite genres or music forms are hip hop and R&B. The African- American communities discover both music forms, but some significant differences somehow exist. Most contemporary hip hop and R&B artists find so many similarities in these music genres but don’t know exactly what the differences are. Undoubtedly these are commonly confusing genres, but no worries, we are here to clear all your confusion. This article explains how hip hop and R&B are different. 

Understanding R&B

R&B stands for Rhythm and Blues, a music genre founded by Black Americans in the 1940s. R&B is derived from jazz, gospel, folk, and traditional blues music and combines rock n roll. Since its creation, R&B music has continuously been refined and groomed by several artists. Today, its widely popular among worldwide music lovers and artists. Contemporary R&B is mainly driven by synthesizers, keyboards, strong bass lines, and looped drum beats. In this context, it is similar to hip hop and differs from rock music. It’s also an alternative to typical pop music. Contemporary R&B is one of the successful commercial genres of the modern music industry, and most hip hop and R&B artists enjoy making music of this genre.

Understanding Hip Hop

Black Americans also developed the hip hop genre in the 1970s, mainly characterized by a robust rhythmic beat and a rapping vocal track. Most Black Americans believe hip hop music is more like a “culture” than a music genre. The four main pillars of hip hop include DJing, breakdancing (usually called breaking or b-boying), rapping (also called MCing), and graffiti. In recent years, hip hop has birthed dozens of subgenres, including grime, trap, gangsta rap, crunk, rap rock, chillhop, nimble rap, bounce, conscious hip hop, and Latin hip hop. Today, numerous famous hip hop artists are creating wonderful hip hop music and winning the hearts of many hip hop lovers. 

Hip Hop And R&B Comparision

Most upcoming hip-hop artists and upcoming R&B artists get confused when asked about the difference between hip hop and R&B genres. However, they are aware of some similarities between these two music forms, like the similar type of beats and instrumental rhythms. The artists’ singing styles and vocals are the main things that make hip hop and RB different. In R&B, artists use a melodic approach, whereas, in hip hop, they use the rap style and focus highly on the flow of words they are uttering, not the melody. 

To better understand the difference between these two genres, let’s read the following four aspects that distinguish hip hop and R&B.

Rapping Vs Singing Style

Singing style is an essential factor that makes both music genres unalike. One significant difference is that hip hop artists rap and focus highly on the flow of words they speak. At the same time, the R&B artist’s entire focus is on the melody and rhythm creation and virtuosity in the song vocals. 

Different Song Subjects

The song subjects and emotions of R&B and hip hop songs are also often distinct. R&B songs primarily consist wide variety of topics, including loss, heartbreak, love, affection, and others. On the other hand, hip hop songs are more like a story, and there is always a message behind the song but in a lighter and tamer way. Hip hop songs are comparatively more intense; also, artists use hip hop to express the cruel realities of the world openly.

Instruments

Because of the usage of similar instruments in hip hop and R&B, people find it hard to distinguish the difference. However, it can become easier to find dissimilarities by paying attention to the instruments. Likewise, R&B songs include bass guitars, drums, synthesizers, and keyboards. While in hip hop, a comparatively higher amount of synthesizers and digital instruments are used. The hip hop artist also considers sound effects and background vocals as part of the song’s instrumental track, also called a sample.

Song Composition and Structure

Hip hop structure is way more unique than the structure of R&B songs, as R&B songs are all about focusing on pop music and popular jazz. Also, R&B songs consist of two verses separated by a chorus, and there is a bridge after the second chorus. In contrast, hip hop songs possess unique verses, but sometimes you can witness a repeating chorus that aids ideally in breaking up the lyrics of the song.

Independent Record Label

Why Independent Record Labels Are Better?

Are you an aspiring musician or singer who aims to join the music industry and wants recognition? If yes, then you must be looking to sign a record label to get started. When it comes to record labels, there are numerous options to choose from, including major record labels and independent record label. Similarly, selecting the best one that can benefit your talent and help you get much-needed recognition is daunting. Of course, major record labels have advantages, like more financial resources, support staff, and leverage in the marketplace. But still, most new artists feel that independent labels are better for them; these provide the required attention and offer more creative freedom to artists. Additionally, the growing popularity of independent record labels gives worldwide artists a golden chance to start their careers effortlessly. 

Over the past few years, most artists have become interested in signing with indie record labels because they think signing up with a smaller label can give the artists numerous advantages.  

What Are Independent Record Labels?

Independent record labels are also called indie labels and boutique labels. These are the small companies, generally not funded and affiliated with any of the three major record labels. The indie labels usually collaborate with countless smaller companies for publishing and distribution purposes. Independent labels are widely considered artists-friendly; they provide artists freedom of creativity and offer them the needed attention. The downside is they dont have vast funding for artists like major record labels do and can’t financially support artists compared to major record labels.

The Reasons Why Indie Record Labels Are Better

There are numerous advantages associated with independent record labels; the most popular one is they provide freedom to the artists they want to work with. In contrast, major record labels put a lot of pressure on the artists; they sometimes demand that artists sacrifice their taste to achieve chart success. On the other hand, indie labels don’t pressure the artists; they give them more freedom, which is why artists perform their best. 

The following are the popular reasons why most young hip-hop artists, upcoming R&B artists, and others choose indie record labels instead of major ones.

Close Working Relationships

Working with boutiques or indie labels means you will get a chance to gain complete attention. Also, as these labels are pretty small, artists find it easier to get personal experiences and can make close relationships. From mentoring to skill building, the independent record labels work closely with their artists and support them at every step of their journey.

Encourages Creative Expressions

If you are an artist who doenst like to work under pressure and doesn’t want anyone to dictate to you, then you should highly consider indie record labels. At an independent record label, none will be micromanaging your affairs; you will have the freedom to use your creativity, and they will encourage it. In contrast, major record labels pressure the artist to turn a profit, consider strict guidelines, and follow a strict schedule. This makes an artist feel bound and makes him uncomfortable. Whereas at indie labels, artists enjoy making music and freely use their creativity to make something unmatched.

Artist-Friendly Deals

Usually, indie record label contracts are not so difficult and complex. Instead, they offer a straightforward deal to artists, which is more like a profitable agreement. However, some large independent record labels possess quite tricky contracts. Still, the deals are primarily artists-friendly and benefit both the artist and label, even though some indie labels offer customized contracts to artists and give more significant royalty percentages to their artists. 

Offers Numerous Growth Opportunities

Indie record labels are the best for the artists, providing them a place where they can fully use their potential and create wonderful music. The indie labels prove to be stepping stones for the artists who want to enter the industry and obtain some practical experience. After getting valuable experience working with a record label, most artists move toward major labels and gain recognition. To date, many famous and successful artists started their music careers with indie record labels. The numerous excellent growth opportunities at indies allowed these artists to perform their best within a less pressurized environment. Some artists still work with independent labels, while others have partnerships with major labels. Therefore, at indies, you have opportunities to grow professionally and can get a maximum chance to polish your music skills.

Final Words

To sum up, an independent record label owns almost everything that an artist demands or needs. However, the downsides are the indies have fewer financial resources, less support staff, and less clout in the industry than a major record label. Whereas, at an indie record label, you will receive creative freedom, get a chance to make close personal relationships, and can have a customized beneficial contract. Therefore, artists who want to work independently and use their creativity would find indies suitable. However, for those whose aim is to get instant popularity, want to grow financially, and are ready to work under pressure, major record labels are ideal for them.